Puzzling on the discussions on digital divide vs social divide, I find myself thinking about the literacy/non-literacy divide which has historically contained much of the same privileged/disadvantaged dimensions. The progressive pressure has been to extend literacy and to do so in conditions which recognise the relevance of content taught to the disadvantaged (Freire's pedagogical position).
Literacy clearly enhances bargaining power but withholding the book would not be a good solution. Universal education is not viewed as a controversial aim: it may be in many locations less than fully obtained. Universal connectivity may prove to be a more possible goal to obtain than universal education as technology costs drop. Universal connectivity may permit some leaps over barriers of literacy: development of oculacy based communication could be very important in the reduction of divides. Socialising the new information communication technologies so that they do deliver necessary services to the disadvantaged is critical and ensuring that the interactive capabilities of the technology is preserved so that the disadvantaged are not simply clients or customers but are part of global social bargaining through the technology is equally important. Margaret Grieco Visiting Fellow Lucy Cavendish College University of Cambridge ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
